Your Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

By: Undre Griggs, Jr.

Jesus warns His disciples of a time when they will be worried, anxious, and in fear of their life.  He tells them their fear will be triggered by his departure.  While they do not completely understand what Jesus is saying at the beginning, they eventually come to the correct understanding.  Like a bird having to learn to fly by being pushed out of a nest, Jesus’ disciples were about to be pushed out of the nest.

John 16:16-17 (ESV): “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?”

They would be fearful as they witnessed the death of their Savior on Calvary’s cross.  So fearful, Peter would deny he knew Jesus and Judas would commit suicide at the thought of Christ’s death.  The disciples would worship in private, for they feared what would happen if they were caught acknowledging Christ as the son of God in public.  Those three days would have likely been the worst three days of the disciple’s life.  They had no guide, no direction, and they did not know what to do next.

John 16:22-24 (ESV): So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

After the third day, Jesus raised from the grave and rejoined His disciples; turning the worst three days of their lives into the best.  Could you imagine the moment they realized Jesus conquered death?  When Jesus returned, the disciples had new direction, new confidence, and a new zeal to share the Gospel.  Though they would endure much suffering from that day forward, as Christ prophesied, they would never allow their joy to be stolen.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ should instill an everlasting belief; we can overcome all the world has to offer because our Savior accomplished it first.